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The book, "Trust Your Gut," by physician Greg Plotnikoff and psychologist Mark Weisberg, teaches neurohormonal retraining, or the ability to evaluate and react appropriately to pain, pressure and bloating associated with irritable bowel syndrome. The book does not attempt to characterize IBS as psychosomatic, but it does offer patients a way to analyze and control their response to symptoms, and it reflects a growing awareness of the complexity of the gut and the important connection between mind and body.

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If you have to make a tough decision quickly, start with an honest assessment of the fears that might distort your thinking. "[F]ocus on what information matters most and go with your gut," he advises. However, if the decision does not need to be made right away, give yourself time to think and research.

Changing to a diet heavy in animal proteins rapidly changes the makeup of the gastrointestinal microbiome, according to new research, and the changes might contribute to inflammation and disease in the intestines. Nine participants in the research tried two diets, one loaded with animal proteins and fats, the other with plant-based foods and plenty of fiber. "The relative abundance of various bacteria species looked like it shifted within a day after the food hit the gut," said researcher Lawrence David. Findings suggest the possibility of altering the microbiome and treating disease with dietary interventions, says gastroenterologist Dr. Purna Kashyap.

Irritable bowel syndrome might raise the risk for osteoporosis and fractures, according to new research. IBS patients had twice the risk of sustaining fractures, particularly wrist fractures, as patients without IBS, the analysis of 317,857 emergency department visits found. IBS patients were more likely than patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, but less likely than those with celiac disease, to suffer osteoporosis.

Anecdotal evidence always has pointed toward the phenomenon of the "beer gut," but studies show alcohol has a greater effect on belly fat in people who consume large amounts of alcohol sporadically than in those who average a single drink a day.